Cat 259D w/HM215C High Flow Mulcher Opinions

SouthernLandPros · Apr 8, 2017

I'm looking at buying a Cat 259D with the HM215C mulcher head. I'm not looking to get into full-time mulching, but could possibly be looking at 100-150 hours of mulching per year. I'm mainly getting the 259 to run a bushhog, but also think the mulcher combined with a dozer blade attachment would work well for firelanes. Any thoughts or opinions on the machine/mulcher combo, and has anyone else used the dozer attachment to push firelanes, etc?

TSO · Apr 8, 2017

I have a similar sized track machine to your 259 (Terex/ASV PT70). I have 30 GPM with my high flow, I'm assuming you have about the same.

The problem is recovery. I don't think our machines have the HP to keep head inertia rolling without long recovery times. I've used 100'ish HP Bobcat machines with mulchers, and even then, you can bog the head down if you're too aggressive... I can see that being more problematic with our size machines. Now... Move up to a 299xp, and you're golden.

I also have a dozer blade for mine (recently got it). I've only put about 20 mins on it but so far it's pretty good for pushing dirt piles. I'm not sure about taking it thru fire trails tho. I hit a stump remnant yesterday and it stopped my in my tracks (literally LOL). You're not going to grub out stumps with it, and mulching will leave lots of stumps to deal with. But pushing dirt, i was happy with it.

yellowdogsvc · Apr 17, 2017

I think you will be frustrated running that head on that machine.

SouthernLandPros · Apr 17, 2017

yellowdogsvc said:
I think you will be frustrated running that head on that machine.

I was talked out of it by the guy that previously owned the mulcher. After pricing around, I'm leaning towards getting a Kubota SVL 95-2 and getting an Extreme Duty Ground Shark brush cutter. It should be a much better machine to handle the cutter and the dozer blade when needed.

Dz302 · Jun 27, 2017

I own a 299XHP with forestry package and mulching head and a 259 with forestry head , both are very capable in the mulching Dept. obviously the 299 does it much faster and can handle much bigger debris.